Decoration on Indian blades

Jim McDougall · 28th January 2005, 01:58 AM

Jens,
Another absolutely beautiful weapon!
The type of blade, the kirach, is especially interesting, especially in ths type hilt. I am inclined to think this is a Rajput weapon and the hilt form corresponds to similar khanjars from Rajasthan.

The decorative motif depicting various animals on the blade is termed 'shikargaha' in India, and seems to derive from Persian craftsmanship in such motif. It is generally presumed that these decorative blades are typically found on blades of 'hunting' swords, as the figures of animals in varying action situations suggest. There are examples with wider range of figures including one with a tiger attacking a mahout (elephant driver), a tiger attacking a horseman, some even with a horseman pursuing a foot soldier.

It was a very common practice in India, at 'durbar', to present gifts of ceremonial weapons to achieved individuals and persons of high status, many which certainly included so called hunting weapons, or as it seems, possibly weapons carrying depictions of events.

Possibly there were certain allegorical themes or totemic symbolisms used in metaphor in many of these wonderfully crafted blades, aside from seemingly random depictions of various animals and figures. Weapons have long been vehicles to carry important iconographic and traditional symbolism in most cultures, regardless of how subtily these messages are carried.

Best regards,
Jim

tom hyle · 28th January 2005, 03:53 AM

I don't understand where the screw is?

Jens Nordlunde · 28th January 2005, 04:31 PM

Here you can see how it was screwed onto the hilt.
I think I forgot to tell that the blade is wootz - sorry.

Jens Nordlunde · 28th January 2005, 09:45 PM

Just one more thing. Not all of the hand guards were made together with the hilts. Sometimes the hand guards were made seperate and fitted to the hilt.

Jens

tom hyle · 28th January 2005, 11:11 PM

Interesting. Thanks.

Andrew · 29th January 2005, 02:02 AM

Another outstanding sword, Jens. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Jim's comments above remind me of a katar you posted on the old forum with similar scenes. For some reason, I was unable to find it. Could you post photos of it for comparison? That is, if my memory is accurate.

Can you estimate an age on this sword? How common is this handle form? It is certainly seen, as Jim notes, on khanjars, but I've really not seen it on older swords. Many contemporary weapons feature it, however.

Thanks again!

Jens Nordlunde · 29th January 2005, 09:23 AM

Hi Andrew,

I think it is this one you are thinking of.

28th January 2005, 01:58 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	Jens, Another absolutely beautiful weapon! The type of blade, the kirach, is especially interesting, especially in ths type hilt. I am inclined to think this is a Rajput weapon and the hilt form corresponds to similar khanjars from Rajasthan. The decorative motif depicting various animals on the blade is termed 'shikargaha' in India, and seems to derive from Persian craftsmanship in such motif. It is generally presumed that these decorative blades are typically found on blades of 'hunting' swords, as the figures of animals in varying action situations suggest. There are examples with wider range of figures including one with a tiger attacking a mahout (elephant driver), a tiger attacking a horseman, some even with a horseman pursuing a foot soldier. It was a very common practice in India, at 'durbar', to present gifts of ceremonial weapons to achieved individuals and persons of high status, many which certainly included so called hunting weapons, or as it seems, possibly weapons carrying depictions of events. Possibly there were certain allegorical themes or totemic symbolisms used in metaphor in many of these wonderfully crafted blades, aside from seemingly random depictions of various animals and figures. Weapons have long been vehicles to carry important iconographic and traditional symbolism in most cultures, regardless of how subtily these messages are carried. Best regards, Jim Last edited by Jim McDougall; 28th January 2005 at 02:51 AM.

28th January 2005, 04:31 PM	#3
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Here you can see how it was screwed onto the hilt. I think I forgot to tell that the blade is wootz - sorry. Attached Images Last edited by Jens Nordlunde; 28th January 2005 at 07:20 PM.

29th January 2005, 09:23 AM	#7
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Andrew, I think it is this one you are thinking of. Attached Images

28th January 2005, 03:53 AM	#2
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	I don't understand where the screw is?

28th January 2005, 09:45 PM	#4
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Just one more thing. Not all of the hand guards were made together with the hilts. Sometimes the hand guards were made seperate and fitted to the hilt. Jens

28th January 2005, 11:11 PM	#5
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Interesting. Thanks.

29th January 2005, 02:02 AM	#6
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Another outstanding sword, Jens. Thank you for sharing this with us. Jim's comments above remind me of a katar you posted on the old forum with similar scenes. For some reason, I was unable to find it. Could you post photos of it for comparison? That is, if my memory is accurate. Can you estimate an age on this sword? How common is this handle form? It is certainly seen, as Jim notes, on khanjars, but I've really not seen it on older swords. Many contemporary weapons feature it, however. Thanks again!